The word cholesterol gets thrown around a lot in health literature. It many times ignores the lack of common understanding about what cholesterol is and how it affects health. For example, most of us have heard of the terms LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) and HDL (High-Density Lipoprotein). As a result, “bad” cholesterol and “good” cholesterol often […]
The Importance of Early Nutrition
As an adult, it can be hard to take on the habits of healthy eating. This is especially true for those who grew-up eating fast food, snacking, and with very little physical activity. For many, unhealthy eating habits started in childhood making them hard to break them and start eating healthy. It is therefore important […]
The Mediterranean Diet
Many leading health institutions and professionals prescribe the Mediterranean diet. Cultures surrounding the mediterranean sea- mainly Greece, Crete, and Southern Italy influence the diet. Health benefits include reduced risk for chronic disease and healthy aging. This is not a weight-loss diet but rather a good health diet. Hence, studies suggest that individuals following a Mediterranean […]
Sugar Alternatives
Excess sugar intake is associated with weight gain, type 2 diabetes, and poor health. What is worse it is that sugar is everywhere and in everything. It is disguised as different types of food like chips and bread (refined carbohydrates) and is added to many more (to enhance flavor). Avoiding sugar seems impossible. There are […]
Combining Services at Santa Cruz CORE
At Santa Cruz CORE our services complement each other. Personal training and nutrition counseling, for example, go hand-in-hand when it comes to weight-loss. Corrective exercise, massage therapy, and acupuncture together can achieve greater results for treating pain. Thanks to our wide range of services, a client can combine many of our treatment modalities to better […]
Lowering Stress Through Diet
What we eat can have a sedative or magnifying effect on stress. Furthermore, if the diet is not controlled or at least acknowledged during times of stress it can pave the way for a number of eating disorders such a binge eating and anorexia. Research shows that roughly 40% of individuals increase their food intake […]
Nutrition, Microbes, and Gut Health
There is a unique connection between the human body and microbial life. There are about ten times more microbes (like bacteria and fungi) in the human body than there are human cells. Microbes in the gut (the gastrointestinal tract), especially, play a unique role in the metabolism, immunity, and incidence of disease in humans. Diet […]
The Dangers of Diet Pills
Diet pills are available over-the-counter everywhere- the pharmacy, the grocery store, the gym. These can be tempting for anyone struggling with weight and body image problems. But one should think twice before taking pills for weight loss as they can lead to a range of health problems. Unfortunately, dietary supplements are not monitored by […]
A Commentary on Keto Diets for Weight Loss
Ketogenic (“keto”) diets are getting a lot of media attention lately. There are countless books, articles, recipes, and videos about keto diets. This is because keto diets have been around for a long time in the clinical setting, and have proven effective at promoting weight loss. There is a reason, however, as to why keto […]
Eating Before and After a Workout
Eating before and after a workout is important for burning calories, staying energized, losing weight, and speeding up recovery. The most beneficial combination to eat, both before and after a workout, is a mix of complex carbohydrates and protein. Complex Carbohydrates Complex carbohydrates help keep the body fueled through a workout and delay the onset […]
